Vale da Luna
The Valley of the Moon is a fantastically beautiful natural monument located in the valley of the São Miguel River, in central Brazil. The unusually shaped quartz landscapes are part of the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, the entire area of which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001.
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According to scientists, the Moon Valley in Brazil can be considered one of the oldest rock formations on Earth. The rocks on the elevated plateau of Chapada dos Veadeiros are 1.8-2 billion years old. The stone landscapes are channeled by the San Miguel River. Quartz used to be mined here and the transparent crystals were even exported to England and Japan. But then the country’s government decided to preserve the unique natural monument, and mining was stopped.
General information
The rocky slopes overhanging the river are painted in different shades of gray, soft blue and in some places black. They resemble unusual lunar landscapes or the scratched surface of an old glacier. Smoothed rocks alternate with small waterfalls, streams and miniature rounded lakes that look very much like lunar craters. Some of the water-rimmed rocks even have their own names.
.During the rainy season, which lasts in this part of Brazil from December to February, the water in the river rises strongly and fills the rounded craters to the brim. The color of the water in the river varies from bright turquoise to blue. In some places in Moon Valley, quartz formations are so thinned that they have turned into real stone lace.
.The rocks contain the fossilized remains of fossilized animals and plants that inhabited the Earth many millions of years ago. In the tropical jungle around the Moon Valley in Brazil, there are 25 species of orchids, several species of palms and pepper trees. Many exotic animals and birds inhabit the surrounding slopes. These areas are home to tapirs, capybaras, giant armadillos, jaguars and anteaters. It is also home to maned wolves, pampas deer, black vultures, toucans and long-legged nandu.The best time to visit the Moon Valley in Brazil is considered the dry season, so most travelers come here from March to November.
.National Park
Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park is located on an ancient mountain plateau rubbing between 600 and 1650 meters in altitude. It is the highest plain in the central part of the country. The park was formed in 1961 to preserve one of the oldest and richest tropical ecosystems on Earth. The conservation area covers an area of 655 km². Notably, in June 2017, the Brazilian president announced his intention to expand it to 2,400 km².
.Chapada dos Veadeiros is located in a hot semi-arid tropical climate zone. The average annual temperature in the park is +24…+26 °C. In the cold season it does not fall below +4…+8 °С, and in summer it can reach +40…+42 °С.
.Moon Valley is considered the most visited part of the national park. In addition, travelers come to Chapada dos Veadeiros to visit near picturesque waterfalls, the height of which reaches 80-120 m. Brazilians say that the number of waterfalls in the local jungle exceeds the number of days in a year.
.Tourist Information
Entrance to the park is free of charge. Visitors are first shown a two-minute video about possible routes and asked to fill out a form with personal details. It is worth picking up a map of the park at the Visitor Center, which shows local attractions and all the trails.
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Travelers are recommended to carry a supply of water and a snack, as there is nowhere to buy water and food in the national park. In addition, sports or trekking shoes are a must. A visit to the Moon Valley in Brazil will cost R$20 per person.
.A guide is not required to walk around the park, as all the trails laid out here are well marked with different colors. For overnight stays, travelers can stay in the nearby town of Alto Paraiso or the village of São Jorge. It is not allowed to stay overnight in the national park. According to the existing rules here, tourists must leave it before 18.00. Before visiting the Moon Valley, travelers are advised to get vaccinated against yellow fever in advance.
.How to get there
The Moon Valley in Brazil is located in the state of Goiás, 35 kilometers from the city of Alto Paraiso. The entrance to the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park is located 1 km from the village of São Jorge. From here, it is only a 20-minute walk to the valley.
.The city of Brasilia and the national park are separated by about 250 kilometers. You can cover this distance in a few hours by cab or rental car. In addition, there are shuttle buses to Alto Paraiso. The highway to “Chapada dos Veadeiros” is very scenic, but during heavy rains parts of it can flood.
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